My latest thoughts on
faith, family, disability,
privilege, and healing
AJB Recommends: What to Read, Listen to, and Watch This Weekend
If you’re wondering what to read, listen to, or watch this weekend, I have recommendations for you! Reading Recommendation It’s hard to believe that a
Postponed Speaking Events, Grief, and Gratitude
Today I expected to be speaking at the Festival of Faith and Writing in Grand Rapids, MI. I was planning a new talk about the
Consequential Strangers and Social Distancing
I was out taking a walk in our neighborhood yesterday, and I happened to cross paths (at an acceptable social distance) with a man who
Privilege, Social Divisions, and COVID-19
In White Picket Fences, I write, The privilege of whiteness and wealth can become a wall against the privilege of being human, loved not for
COVID-19, Privilege, and What Keeps Us from Living in Love {Ep 105}
In recent weeks during COVID-19, we have seen acts of extreme and ordinary self-sacrifice. Doctors and nurses are working around the clock and putting themselves
Singing and the Coronavirus Shelter-in-Place Situation
One of the effects of the coronavirus crisis is that Penny and I are singing together. Our new daily schedule involves the two of us
What to Read on Holy Saturday
In the Christian tradition, today is called “Holy Saturday.” It’s a day of waiting. A day in between the horror of the crucifixion and the
AJB Recommends: Spiritual Podcasts During COVID-19 Crisis
I’ve been listening to two different types of podcasts lately in this time of the COVID-19 crisis. One, podcasts that report and analyze news, politics,
How Our Kids are Coping During Coronavirus Crisis
COVID-19 has brought a variety of emotions into our home, and I’ve wanted to know how our kids were coping with the coronavirus dynamics. “I
In Holy Week, Preparing for Loss
Jerome Adams, the surgeon general of the United States, has warned that the upcoming week will be the “hardest yet” in terms of American lives
COVID-19, Holy Week, and Preparing for Suffering with Love {Ep 104}
At dinner a few nights ago, we asked our kids if they have any questions for God during this time of COVID-19 and suffering. They
Penny’s Prayer for Church During COVID-19 Crisis
Penny was asked to write a prayer for our church. Our pastor sends out a prayer written by a member of our congregation every morning.
A Day of Unlimited Screen Time
Our household treated the first week of school closure due to COVID-19 as spring break, per our schools’ instruction. The kids asked for a day
Coronavirus, Suffering, and Two Questions About God
Suffering and death and events like our current experience with the coronavirus generally lead humans to ask at least two questions about God. Does God
Stories of the Saints Book Recommendation
Hooray for the UPS delivery man who brought me Stories of the Saints today. So excited for this gift! I can’t wait to dive into this
The Foundation is Shaking: Coronavirus and Living in Love {Ep. 103}
What do we do when the foundation is shaking with the upheaval of the coronavirus? Where do we turn when everything feels wobbly and everything
Meal Planning with Kids
Meal planning with kids is an adventure! At the beginning of the week, I gave each child the chance to choose what we would eat
John Lewis on Nonviolent Resistance, Love, and Hope
If you’ve found yourself with additional time to read in this era of social distancing, I want to recommend Walking with the Wind: A Memoir
A Three-Minute Invitation to Peace
For all of you who are stressed, and fearful, and worried, for yourself, for your family, for those you love, for our whole world, here’s
Reading Hope in Trying Times Interview
“Reading Hope in Trying Times.” Now there’s an awesome title for you! Brian Allain, founder of Writing for Your Life, Publishing in Color, and Compassionate
Social Connection in a Time of Social Distance {Ep 102}
Living in a time of social distance means Penny sets up at home for virtual ballet class. In many ways, for families like mine—relatively young,
When God Looks at Us with Love
I was challenged recently to imagine God looking at me with love. When I sat down and closed my eyes and envisioned God looking at
World Down Syndrome Day Movie Night
Today is World Down Syndrome Day, a day in which we celebrate the life of our daughter Penny and of all the women and men
Penny’s Gift of Encouragement is a Gift to Me
Penny’s gift of encouragement is a joy to receive! I received some disappointing news this week (unrelated to the coronavirus) and took out my phone
Coronavirus Crisis and What the Bible Has to Say {New Podcast Season}
The coronavirus and the Bible are separated by centuries. Yet, amidst stock market plunges and coronavirus, the Bible’s ancient wisdom shows us love is stronger
Fear, Fearing the Lord, and Walking in Love
Any biology textbook can tell us that fear brings a lot of energy. In the face of threats (or perceived threats), adrenaline courses through our
How Can We Love Our Neighbors in a Time of Coronavirus?
What does it mean to love our neighbors in a time of coronavirus? Like many Americans, I’ve paid increasing attention these past few days to
Almost-Forgotten Women and Undoing Injustice
Most Americans will never know their names, yet many women, through their actions, have contributed to the undoing of injustice. When we traveled to Montgomery,
A Community’s Work to Participate in Healing
It was a dreary night outside, and a warm welcome inside the library of Trinity Episcopal Church in Southport, CT Tuesday night. After a winter
How to Receive God’s Love
I wrote earlier this week about what a difference it makes when we pay attention to the right things, when we pay attention to love
